ID of undocumented immigrant drivers opposed

The banda music was blaring on Main Street in Watsonville, beckoning revelers and passersby alike to join in the festivities.

But instead of joining in the fun, a group of about 12 young people protested outside the offices of Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Salinas, against possible plans to include a special mark on drivers' licenses issued to undocumented immigrants.

"This is going to create second-class citizenship," said Oday Guerrero, a member of the Fresno Immigration Youth in Action. "We don't want any marks on the licenses."

Sponsored by Alejo, the Safe and Responsible Driver Act would turn back the clock in California to a time when state residents did not have to prove they lived legally in the United States to be allowed to drive.

That changed in 1993, when Gov. Pete Wilson signed into law a measure that require immigrants to show proof of legal residency to get a driver's license. Fomer California legislator Gil Cedillo, now a member of the Los Angeles City Council, introduced several bills attempting to grant drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants to no avail.

AB 60, co-sponsored by Sen. Anthony Canella (R-Ceres), could be the bill that once again grants undocumented immigrants the ability to get drivers licenses. The bill has been moving through the halls of Sacramento, and most recently was approved 8-2 in the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee. The bill was scheduled to be heard in the appropriations committee next.

Alejo could not be reached for comment.

But at one of its most recent hearings, members of the California Immigrant Youth Justice Alliance say some legislators proposed to mark drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants differently.

"It's not fair to make those licenses racist. If a cop stops you and he sees it has a marker, they'll know you're undocumented," said Fortunata Matias, a 20-year-old biology student at Cabrillo College in Aptos. "If this bill passes, it'll be beneficial for students."

The protesters held signs that read "No Marked Licenses" and "Licensias para Todos" (licenses for everyone).

Jorge Cruz, a political sciences student at Hartnell College and member of the Central Coast Dream Team, said the coalition will be watching the progression of the bill.

"We'll decide what to do if it passes requiring special markings," he said.

Cruz, who applied to become a temporary legal resident under a program that allows young people who came illegally to the United States to work and go to school, said he's keeping track of all legislation being proposed nationwide to grant documented status for millions of undocumented immigrants.

"We want to see what the Republicans in the House of Representatives come up with," he said.

A bill that would revamp the country's immigration laws was approved in the U.S. Senate with much fanfare last month, paving the way for the lower house of Congress to take up the legislation.

But Republican lawmakers are stalling, bringing fears in some camps that immigration reform could be on the verge of dying.

Still, Cruz remains optimistic.

"Republican legislators need the support of Latinos for the next election," he said. "They're beginning to really notice it in swing states."